Ball-bearing axle.



Patented July 28, 1914.

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Witness: 0

THE NORRIS I'h'l'! RS (1),, IHU'I'O-LI'IHU. WASHINGTON. I) L Til TAQFFTCE.

ARTHUR LEE PASCHALL, OF OLAA, TERRITORY OF HAWAII.

BALL-BEARING AXLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 28, 1914.

To all whom it may concern lle it known that I, Anrnun L. PASCI-IALL, acitizen of the United States, residing at ()laa, in the county of Hawaiiand Territory of Hawaii, have invented. new and useful Improvements inBall-Bearing Axles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to ball bearing axles for vehicles of varioustypes, such as buggies, surreys, carts, light wagons, and the like, theaxle reducing friction to a minimum and providing a light running gearfor: such vehicle, also avoiding the necessity of taking up the constantwear,to which ordinary axle spindles are now sub yected, and doing awaywith the use of washers, bushings and the like. The invention also doesaway with the necessity of frequently re moving the wheels for oilingo1- greasing, and besides being neat. and substantial, the parts may beeasily and quickly (llSflSSGlllbled or replaced and renewed, as may befound necessary.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists in theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will behereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a vlew in elevation, showing the inventionapplied to an ordinary vehicle axle. Fig. 2 is a cross section taken onthe line 2--2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the spindlecasing detached. Fig. 41 is a similar View of the spindle detached. Fig.5 is a longitudinal section through the spindle and its casing, showingthe arrangement of ball bearings. Fig. 6 is a detall view of one of theend thrust ball bearings. Fig. 7 is a simllar view of the radial ballbearing.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates an ordinary vehicle axle, towhich the present invention is shown applied.

The device contemplated in this invention embodies a rotary spindle 2having at the wheel end thereof a fixed collar 3, while the wheelbearing portion thereof is preferably squared, and also made tapering,as shown at 4, to have the vehicle wheel made fast thereon, so as torotate therewith, the extremity of the spindle being reduced andthreaded, as shown at 5, to receive the usual retaining cap nut. At itsinner end the spindle 2 is reduced and threaded to receive a nut 6,behind which is arranged a removable collar 7, preferably correspondingin size with the fixed collar 3. 8 designates a tubular casing for saidspindle, said casing having its opposite ends considerably enlarged, asshown at 9, to form cylindrical housings 1.0 for the ball bearingelements. Each of the housings or enlarged end portions of the casing isprovided with a shoulder 11, against which is seated a radial ballbearing 12, while against; the outer side of the radial ball bearing 12is an end thrust ball bearing 13, against which the collar 7 or 3 bears,as the case may be. This provides both for the radial and end thrust ofthe spindle in the casing 8, in which it is completely housed.

At its inner end the enlarged portion 10 of the casing is internallythreaded, as shown at 14, to receive a removable threaded plug 15 havinga squared boss 16, so that a wrench may be applied thereto for securingand removing the plug. At the opposite end, the casing is fitted with aremovable collar or cap 17 which fits into the end of the casing, and isheld in place by means of any desired number of fasteners 18, shown inthe form of screws or bolts.

In order to prevent the admission of dirt, dust, and other foreignmatter, the wheel hub, indicated at 19, is also provided with a flangedcollar 20 at its inner end, which fits over and embraces the collar 17,the overlapping arrangement of the two collars 17 and 20 serving toeffectively exclude foreign matter and, keep the bearings clean and ingood working condition.

The outer enlarged end of the casing is provided with longitudinallyextending grooves 21 arranged at diametrically opposite points and madeof dovetail shape in cross section, so as to receive correspondingclove-tailed projections 22 on the radial and end thrust bearings 12 and13, thereby preventing the rotation of said bearings within the casing,and giving the full effect thereto.

In order to secure the casing 8 to the axle 1, the enlarged end portionsthereof are exteriorly provided with annular grooves 23 which areadapted to receive internal ribs or tongues 24 on clips 25 which embracesuch enlarged portions of the casing, and also partially embrace theaxle 1, each of said clips being provided with threaded shanks 26 whichpass through a washer plate 27 and receive nuts 28, in a manner similarto the ordinary axle clips now in common use. It will be observed thatby reason of the construction just described, the spindle and easing aresecurely fastened to the axle and held against any relative movement, sothat the casing and spindle in effect become an extension of the axle 1.The wheel being fast on the spindle causes said spindle to rotate withinthe casing 8, the spindle being supported by the bearings 12 and 13which act both in a radial and longitudinal direction with respect tothe rotation of the axle.

The device hereinabove described forms a very light, substantial andattractive attachment for the ordinary vehicle axle, enables an ordinaryvehicle to be converted into a ball bearing conveyance, greatly reducing the friction and increasing the life and durability, as well assmooth riding qualities of the Vehicle as a whole.

Oil or other lubricating material may be fed to the bearings through oilor grease cups 29 which discharge into the enlarged end portions of thecasing 8, so as to feed the lubricating material directly to the bearlIl'S.

l Vhat is claimed is:

A spindle bearing attachment for nonrotating vehicle axles, embodying atubular spindle casing having the opposite end portions thereof enlargedforming hollow cylindrical bearing containers, axle clips embracing suchenlarged portions of the casing, a rotary wheel carrying spindle one endportion of which is inclosed bysaid casing and the other end portion ofwhich is squared and projects beyond said casing, a radial bearing forsaid spindle within each. enlarged portion of the casing, and an endthrust bearing for said spindle in each enlarged portion of said casing.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR LEE PASGHALL, Witnesses CARL'H. G. BRAUN, JAs. M. SMYTHE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. (32*

